Net retrieving apparatus and method of using same



C. VITTONE Aug. 16, 1966 NET RETRIEVING APPARATUS AND METHOD OF USING SAME :5 Sheets--511eet 1.

Filed Feb. 1, 1965 h\\ ENTOR V/rra/ws fling. 16, 1966 CTVITTONE 3,266,777

NET RETRIEVING APPARATUS AND METHOD OF USING SAME Filed Feb. '1, 1965 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. flQM/NE Wrrwv:

Aug. 16, 1966 c, v TT 3,266,777

NET RETRIEVING APPARATUS AND METHOD OF USING SAME Filed Feb. 1, 1965 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Ill 7 .9

46 INVENTOR. 'me/w/vz V/TTQNE United States Patent 3,266,777 NET RETRIEVING APPARATUS AND METHOD OF USING SAME Carmine Vittoue, 1338 27th Drive, San Pedro, Calif. Filed Feb. 1, 1965, Ser. No. 429,324 8 Claims. (Cl. 25l137) The present invention relates generally to the field of commercial fishing, and more particularly to a device for retrieving a purse seine net from the sea by the use of power means.

It is recognized that the use of power means, per se, in retrieving a purse seine net from the sea is not new. One commonly accepted method developed in recent years is to suspend a power operated block from the end of a boom on a purse seiner, which when actuated draws the net from the sea to deposit it upon the boat deck However, the operation disadvantages in using such a power block resides in the fact that it is relatively heavy and in rough weather there is the constant hazard that it may become disengaged from the boom to fall to the deck with not only resultant damage, but possible loss of human life, or even irretrievably lost in the sea.

A major object of the present invention is to provide a purse seine net retrieving device of relatively simple structure which is located adjacent the deck of the boat on which it is installed and cannot fall or move to endanger the life or limb of the crew, is simple and easy to use, can be installed on existing purse seiners or embodied in the structure of new boats.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device by means of which a purse seine net may be drawn from the sea with a minimum of physical exertion on the part of the crew of the vessel on which it is installed, and due to the structure and mode of operation thereof requires a minimum of maintenance attention.

A still further object of the invention is to furnish a device for not only retrieving a purse seine net from the sea, but for storing it as well in such a configuration that the net may be rapidly played out when it is desired to reset it.

Yet a further object of the invention is to supply a device that can be fabricated from standard commercially available materials whereby it is adapted to be retailed at a sufficiently low price as to encourage the widespread use thereof.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description thereof, and from the accompanying drawings illustrating the same, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view of a conventional purse seiner with a net retrieving device mounted on the stern of the deck thereof;

FIGURE 2 is a top plan view of the invention installed on a purse seiner;

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary transverse cross-sectional view of the net retrieving device, taken on line 3-3 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary vertical cross-sectional view of the device, taken on line 4-4 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 5 is a top plan View of a boat equipped with the device illustrating the initial stage of making a set of the purse seine net;

FIGURE 6 is a top plan View of the boat on which the retrieving device is installed with a net :fully set, and with the lower portion of thenet pursed;

FIGURE 7 is a top plan view of the boat on which the device is installed after the net has been pursed, showing the net being retrieved on the reel;

FIGURE 8 is a top plan view of the boat on which the device is installed after the net has been substantial- 3,266,777 Patented August 16, 1966 ly retrieved from the sea and wound on a reel mounted on the boat;

FIGURE 9 is an enlarged fragmentary top plan view of the boat and reel, after the net has been pursed, with portions of the chain line lying on the boat deck adjacent the Windlass, with the net being wound onto the reel;

FIGURE 10 is an enlarged side elevation view of the Windlass used in pursing the net;

FIGURE 11 is a side elevational view of a fragment of the net as it is supported in the sea;

FIGURE 12 is a side elevational view of one of a pair of inwardly and upwardly extending rollers that guide the chain line as the net is pulled inwardly aboard the boat to purse the net; and

FIGURE 13 is a fragmentary vertical cross-sectional view of the reel, taken on the line 13-13 of FIGURE 2.

With continuing reference to the drawings for the general arrangement of the invention, and particularly FIGURES 1 and 2 thereof, it will be seen that the device is mountable on .a purse seiner A having a conventional hull B and superstructure C normally found in such vessels. The purse seiner A is provided with a deck D and a hold E situated therebelow. A stub shaft 10 projects upwardly from a platform 12 that is supported on the stern of the deck D.

The stub shaft 10 rotatably supports a relatively large reel F, which as can best be seen in FIGURE 1, is comprised of a lower section 14 and an upper section 16 that may be move relative to the lower section. Section 14 includes a central circular portion 14a and a circular flange 14b that projects outwardly from the lower part of the central portion 14a. The upper section 16 includes circular central portion 16a and a circular flange 1gb that projects outwardly from the upper portion there- 0 Vertically aligned bores are formed in the central portions 14a and 16a, which are shown in abutting contact in FIGURE 1, and these bores rotatably engage the stub shaft 10. The flanges 14b and 16b cooperatively form an annulus-shaped space 18, preferably of variable width in which the purse seine net G shown in FIGURES 5-9 inclusive, may be wound as it is retrieved from the sea. The reel sections 14 and 16 concurrently rotate, due to a number of rods 20 (FIGURE 13) that extend downwardly through the sections. If the reel F is to be expansible to vary the width of the annulus-shaped space 18 to accommodate nets G of various sizes, the lower end of each rod 20 is rotatably supported in a sleeve 22 mounted in the central portion 14a of the lower section 14, as illustrated in FIGURE 13.

That portion of each rod 20 above the sleeve 22 is preferably provided with threads 24 to engage a tapped bore 26 in the central portion 16a of the upper section 16, which is also shown in FIGURE 13. The upper ends of rods 20 are provided with recessed openings 28 of non-circular cross sections that are adapted to be engaged by tools (not shown) to rotate the rods 20* to raise and lower the upper section 16 relative to the lower section 14, and thus vary the width of the annulus-shaped space 18. It will be apparent that the rods 20 must be rotated concurrently in order to raise or lower section 16 relative to sect-ion 14. The rods 20 serve not only to prevent relative rotation between sections 14 and 16, but also to permit vertical adjustment of one relative to the other. Two sets of rollers 30 and 32 are rotatably supported from the platform 12, and they in turn rotatably support the reel F in the manner best seen in FIGURE 1 to permit the reel to be rotated by power means as will later be described.

A number of posts 34 extend upwardly from the platform 12 and deck D to support a second deck 36, the upper surface of which is in horizontal alignment with the upper surface of the flange 16b when the reel F is in the unexpanded position shown in FIGURE 1. By conventional means (not shown) the posts 34 may be vertically adjustable to raise and lower the second deck 36 to bring it into conformity with the thickness of the reel F as it is expanded or contracted in width. A circular opening 38 is formed in deck 36 that is just slightly larger than the combined transverse cross-sectional area of the central portion 16a and flange 16b.

The under surface of the flange 14b supports a ring gear 40, as best shown in FIGURE 4, which is preferably engaged by three circumferentially driven gears 42. Each gear 40 is preferably rotated by a separate hydraulic motor 44. One hydraulic motor 44- and driven gear 42 is shown in FIGURE 4, with the driven gear being in engagement with the ring gear 40.

A Windlass H used in conjunction with reel F, is shown in structural detail in FIGURE 10, and the positioning 1 thereof on deck D of the boat A is illustrated in FIGURE 2. The Windlass H includes a base 46 that is affixed by conventional means to the deck D, and a pedestal 48 extends upwardly from the central portion of the base 46 to support a cylindrical bearing 50 on the top portion thereof. Two spaced uprights 52 and 52' are mounted on the base 46, located on opposite sides of the pedestal 44. These uprights 52 and 52 rotatably support two horizontal shafts 54 and 54 respectively, and the inner ends of the shafts are adjacently disposed and rotatably supported in the bearing 50. Spools 56 and 56' are supported on the outer ends of shafts 54 and 54, as well as two sheaves 58 and 58' situated adjacent thereto. Two brake drums 60 and 60' are also mounted on the shafts 54 and 54, as can best be seen in FIGURE 10, which drums are engaged by conventional braking mechanisms (not shown).

Two sprockets 62 and 62' are rigidly aflixed to shafts 54 and 54', from which endless chain belts 64 and 64' extend downwardly to engage driven sprockets 66 and 66' that are rotated by two hydraulic motors 68 and 68' secured to the base 46. Fluid is supplied to the hydraulic motors 68 and 68 through two conduits 70 and 70' that are connected to a source (not shown) of hydraulic fluid under pressure. The rate of fluid flow through the conduits 70 and 70 is controlled by two valves 72 and 72' connected thereto, as illustrated in FIGURE 10. By manually adjusting the valves 72 or 72', the flow of fluid through the lines 70 and 70 may be controlled to regulate the speed at which the hydraulic motors 68 and 68' rotate the driven sprockets 66 and 66'. After flowing through the motors 68 and 68', the hydraulic fluid discharges into lines 74- and 74' that are connected to a reservoir 76.

The net G, as can best be seen in FIGURE 11, includes a line 78 on which a plurality of corks or floats 80 are longitudinally spaced. The line 78 and corks 80 cooperatively provide a corkline 82, on one end of which a tow line 84 is affixed. A number of ropes or cables 86 are aflixed to the line 78 and depend downwardly therefrom in the manner shown in FIGURE 11 to be connected to the upper portion of a net 88. The lower longitudinal edge of the net 88 has a reinforced section 90 extending therealong from which bridles 92 extend downwardly to metal bodies 94. Cables 96 extend downwardly from the metal bodies 94, and the lower ends of these cables are attached to a chain line 98. Normally, the bridles 92 support the chain line 98 at a very substantial distance below the net section 88.

On the gunwale of that portion of the purse seiner A opposite the base 46 (FIGURE 9), two sets of roller assemblies 100 and 100' are provided that are of identical construction. Inasmuch as the roller assemblies 100 and 100' are identical, only the structure of the roller assembly 100 will be descnibed herein.

The roller assembly 100 includes an upwardly and inwardly extending shaft 102 that rotatably supports a conventional roller 104 on the upper portion thereof. The shaft 102 is rigidly aflixed to the gunwale 106 by conventional means, such as a base 108, or the like. A second roller 110 of conventional configuration is provided that is rotatably mounted on a shaft 112 which is aflixed .to the horizontal part of an L-shaped member 114 that is pivotally supported on a bore 116 formed in the gunwale 106. Inadvertent pivoting of the L-shaped member 104 is prevented by a pin 118 that extends downwardly therethrough and engages a sleeve 120 disposed in the gunwale 106. The rollers 104 and 110 are so disposed relative to one another as to define a space 122 therebetween that is wider than the chain line 98 but narrower than the diameter of the metal bodies 94, for reasons which will later be explained.

The use and operation of the invention are relatively simple. One end 124 of the net G at all times remains connected to the reel F, and the tow line 84 of the net is connected to a skiff I, as best shown in FIGURE 5. The purse seiner A (FIGURES 5 and 6) circles around to a position where the tow line 84 can be removably afiixed thereto in the manner shown in FIGURE 9 at a position 126 thereon.

The chain line 98 of net G is extended upwardly onto the boat between the roller assemblies 100 and 100', from which the chain line drops downwardly in space 122 onto the gunwale 106 as shown in FIGURE 9, where it engages the sheaves 58 and 58' when the spools 56 and 56 are rotated.

The spools 56 and 56' are initially engaged by tow lines 128 affixed to the chain line 98, and when the chain line is drawn inwardly aboard the purse seiner A by use of the sheaves 58 and 58', the metal bodies 94 pass over the rollers 104 and 110, as well as 104' and 110', with the bridles 92 falling to the outside in the manner illustrated in FIGURE 12. The chain line 98 is disposed on the deck D of the purse seiner A adjacent the sheaves 58 and 58' in first and second stacks 98a and 98b, as shown in FIGURE 9.

Thereafter, the reel F is caused to rotate in a counter clockwise direction (FIGURE 9) to wind the net G onto the reel, and during this winding operation, the chain line 98 and bridle 92 are sequentially removed from the first and second stacks 98a and 98b, respectively. Drawing in of the net is continued until the net assumes the position shown in FIGURE 8.

When it is desired to play out the net from the reel F, that end thereof on which the tow line 84 is attached is disconnected from the purse seiner A and connected to the skiff J. The direction of rotation of the reel F is then reversed, and the purse seiner A moves away from the skiff J to position the net G in the sea around a school of fish (not shown) in a configuration such as shown in FIGURE 5. The set net G is thereafter pursed and drawn from the sea in the manner previously described.

Although the present invention is fully capable of achieving the objects and providing the advantages hereinbefore mentioned, it is to be understood that it is merely illustrative of the presently preferred embodiment thereof and I do not mean to be limited to the details of construction herein shown and described, other than as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A method of utilizing power means to purse a set purse seine having a cork line and a chain line and to thereafter draw said purse seine aboard a purse seiner that includes a deck, comprising:

(a) providing two spaced first and second rotatable surfaces above said deck that are adapted to engage first and second portions of said chain line to move the same;

(b) rotating said first and second rotatable surfaces to draw said chain line aboard said purse seiner to purse said seine;

(c) placing said first and second portions of said chain line as they are drawn aboard said purse seiner in first and second stacks on said deck;

(d) providing a third rotatable surface that defines an annulus-shaped space at a position substantially parallel to said deck and adjacent thereto;

(e) affixing first end portions of said purse seine and cork line to said third rotatable surface;

(f) power rotating said third rotatable surface in a direction to draw said purse seine towards said purse seiner and coil the same in said annulus-shaped space; and

(g) sequentially playing out said chain line from said first and second stacks as said purse seine is coiled in said annulus-shaped space to permit said chain line to be coiled therewith.

2. A method as defined in claim 1 which includes the further step of:

(h) maintaining said first and second portions of said chain line in fixed longitudinal spacing as said first and second portions initially move aboard said purse seiner.

3. Power operated apparatus for use in pursing a set purse seine that includes a cork line, net, and chain line to which tow lines are afiixed, and in retrieving said purse seine from the sea to store the same in a coiled configuration on a purse seiner that includes a deck, which apparatus includes:

(a) first and second longitudinally spaced rotatable spools disposed above said deck;

(b) first and second sheaves coaxially aligned with said first and second spools and rotatable therewith;

(c) first and second power means for independently rotating said first spool and first sheave, and said second spool and second sheave;

(d) means for guiding said tow lines afiixed to the ends of said chain line and said chain line aboard said purse seiner when said tow lines frictionally engage said spools 'and said chain lines engage said sheaves, with said tow lines and first and second portions of said chain line being disposed in first and second stacks on said deck after being drawn aboard said purse seiner by rotation of said first and second spools and first and second sheaves;

(e) a reel that defines an annulus-shaped space in which said seine can be disposed in a coiled configuration;

(f) means for rotatably supporting said reel in a substantially horizontal position adjacent said deck;

(g) and power means for rotating said reel to draw said cork line and net from the sea into said annulusshaped space, with said reel as it is rotated sequentially drawing said chain line from said first and second stacks so that said purse seine as a whole is wound on said reel.

4. A power operated apparatus as defined in claim 3 wherein said means for guiding said tow lines and chain lines includes:

(h) two longitudinally spaced pairs of shafts that extend upwardly and inwardly from a side portion of said purse seiner opposite said first and second spools and sheaves;

(i) four rollers rotatably supported on said shafts, which rollers are of such dimensions and said shafts in each of said pairs so spaced that two spaces are provided that are of greater width than said chain line to permit the same to pass therethrough, but with portions of said seine being substantially greater in width than said chain line and forced to travel over said rollers and to one side thereof as said chain lines are moved inwardly onto said purse seiner by the rotation of said sheaves.

5. A power operated apparatus as defined in claim 4 which further includes:

(j) means for pivotally supporting one shaft in each pair thereof from said side of said purse seiner to permit said rollers in each of said pairs to be separated; and

(k) means for adjustably locking said pivotally supported shafts in first positions where said rollers in each pair cooperate with the other rollers in said pairs to define spaces of minimum width therebetween, but with said spaces of minimum width being greater than the width of said chain line.

6. A power operated apparatus as defined in claim 3 wherein said means for rotatably supporting said reel comprise a plurality of rollers rotatably supported adjacent said deck, and on which rollers the lower surface of said reel rests.

7. A power operated apparatus as defined in claim 6 wherein a centrally disposed bore extends transversely through said reel, and said apparatus further includes a stub shaft that extends upwardly from said purse seiner and rotatably engages said bore.

8. A power operated apparatus as defined in claim 6 wherein said reel is defined by lower and upper half portions, which apparatus further includes means for moving said upper half portion vertically to Vary the width of said annulus shaped space to permit said annulusshaped space to accommodate purse seines of various sizes.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,380,655 6/1921 Larson 254-137 2,533,972 12/1950 Symonds et a1. 254137 XR 2,645,455 7/1953 Rowe 254-137 2,677,528 5/1954 Dahl 254137 3,161,980 12/1964 James 254137 SAMUEL F. COLEMAN, Primary Examiner. 

3. POWER OPERATED APPARATUS FOR USE IN PURSING A SET PURSE SEINE THAT INCLUDES A CORK LINE, NET, AND CHAIN LINE TO WHICH TOW LINES ARE AFFIXED, AND IN RETRIEVING SAID PURSE SEINE FROM THE SEA TO STORE THE SAME IN A COILED CONFIGURATION ON A PURSE SEINER THAT INCLUDES A DECK, WHICH APPARATUS INCLUDES: (A) FIRST AND SECOND LONGITUDINALLY SPACED ROTATABLE SPOOLS DISPOSED ABOVE SAID DECK; (B) FIRST SECOND SHEAVES COAXIALLY ALIGNED WITH SAID FIRST AND SECOND SPOOLS AND ROTATABLE THEREWITH; (C) FIRST AND SECOND POWER MEANS FOR INDEPENDENTLY ROTATING SAID FIRST SPOOL AND FIRST SHEAVE, AND SAID SECOND SPOOL AND SECOND SHEAVE; (D) MEANS FOR GUIDING SAID TOW LINES AFFIXED TO THE ENDS OF SAID CHAIN LINE AND SAID CHAIN LINE ABOARD SAID PURSE SEINER WHEN SAID TOW LINES FRICTIONALLY ENGAGE SAID SPOOLS AND SAID CHAIN LINES ENGAGE SAID SHEAVES, WITH SAID TOW LINES AND FIRST AND SECOND PORTIONS OF SAID CHAIN LINE BEING DISPOSED IN FIRST AND SECOND STACKS ON SAID DECK AFTER BEING DRAWN ABOARD SAID PURSE SEINER BY ROTATION OF SAID FIRST AND SECOND SPOOLS AND FIRST AND SECOND SHEAVES; (E) A REEL THAT DEFINES AN ANNULUS-SHAPED IN WHICH SAID SEINE CAN BE DISPOSED IN A COILED CONFIGURATION; (F) MEANS FOR ROTATABLY SUPPORTING SAID REEL IN A SUBSTANTIALLY HORIZONTAL POSITION ADJACENT SAID DECK; (G) AND POWER MEANS FOR ROTATING SAID REEL TO DRAW SAID CORK LINE AND NET FROM THE SEA INTO SAID ANNULUSSHAPED SPACE, WITH SAID REEL AS IT IS ROTATED SEQUENTIALLY DRAWING SAID CHAIN LINE FROM SAID FIRST AND SECOND STACKS SO THAT SAID PURSE SEINE AS A WHOLE IS WOUND ON SAID REEL. 